Kilkerrin-Clonberne 1-11

Clann Éireann 1-9

IN the fullness of time all those associated with these mould-breaking Kilkerrin-Clonberne ladies’ footballers will get the opportunity to reflect on a catalogue of wonderful achievements, but that day is unlikely to dawn soon judging by this emphatic dismissal of Ulster’s best in Lurgan on Sunday.

The reigning All-Ireland club champions clearly have no intention of stepping off the big stage in stretching their remarkable unbeaten championship run to 43 matches when virtually always in control of what had looked a tricky assignment against Clann Éireann of Armagh.

Backboned by a host of inter-county players, the Ulster title holders were expected to lay down a stern challenge, especially on their home turf, but the gulf in quality was soon evident and the outcome virtually done and dusted when Kilkerrin-Clonberne led by 2-6 to 0-3 at the interval.

To their credit, Clann Éireann never gave up and players like Róisín Mulligan, Cait Towe, Niamh Colman, Aoibhinn Donohue, and dangerous full-forward Niamh Murray kept soldering to the end, but the Armagh champions never really threatened a successful comeback.

They didn’t possess Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s guile, composure or class as Willie Ward’s charges remain on course to become the first Galway GAA senior team ever to win four All-Ireland titles on the trot in the history of the Association.

When in full flow on Sunday, the long-standing Galway champions looked better than ever and, maybe, that is necessary given that they will be facing a formidable Kilmacud Crokes outfit in the All-Ireland final on Saturday week.

Twelve months ago, the teams clashed in an All-Ireland semi-final which went to extra-time, and all the indicators suggest that the Dublin club are more formidable than in 2023. At least, the Kilkerrin-Clonberne management and players know what’s coming down the tracks.

Pictured: Niamh Divilly of Kilkerrin-Clonberne on the ball against Clann Éireann’s Tiarna Grimes during the All-Ireland Club Senior Ladies Football semi-final in Lurgan on Sunday. Photo: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile.